Low-voltage operated AC plasma-display panels

AC plasma-display panels (AC-PDP) with protective coatings of alkaline earth oxides are shown to have lower firing voltage (V
f
) than panels with standard MgO coatings. In particular, a mixture of CaO and SrO leads to a V
f
of 65 V, about 30 V less than V
f
for MgO coatings. Life in excess of 10 000 h is indicated, but memory margins of only 4 V have been achieved so far.